Sandy Station

Astronauts quarantined before final launch

Days before the nation's last shuttle launch, astronauts went into quarantine Friday, and NASA said it is focused on a strong finish to preserve the program's legacy.

"What I see with the core shuttle team now is just an extreme determination to make sure that it goes well, and we end up right," said shuttle program manager John Shannon.

Atlantis' four astronauts went into quarantine at Johnson Space Center in Houston and will fly to Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Monday. The launch of their 12-day mission to the International Space Station is set for 11:26 a.m. next Friday.

"It sounds so final," said mission commander Chris Ferguson, a veteran of two missions. "I don't think we want any more time, though. We're ready. We're trained. We want to go do it, and we want to go do it on time."

Atlantis will haul up a module packed with nearly 10,000 pounds of supplies -- about a third of it food -- and equipment that should keep the station stocked through next year, including deliveries by partner spacecraft.

The crew flying the 135th and final shuttle mission has experienced a procession of "lasts" during its training.

"You can't ignore it," said mission specialist Rex Walheim. "We try to savor each one of these little 'lasts' and try to appreciate the people who made it possible."

On Thursday, the astronauts said they were still getting last-minute requests. Relatives, acquaintances and special-interest groups clamored for launch tickets, and just about everyone wanted the astronauts to take something of theirs on the last ride.

Ferguson said there was so much last-mission hoopla that he couldn't wait to go into quarantine.

U.S. Coast Guard Challenge Coins .net | Station Sandy Hook ...

Station Sandy Hook is one of the most popular life – saving stations and one of the original ones. It was built in 1848 one – half mile south of point of Hook at a site on bay side. This site was change many times as the years passed by because of the change in land or request of the War Department that owned the land. Just like in 1882, the position was said to be east of the main light then it was later rebuilt in 1891. It was mentioned on the 1905 Annual Report that the station was developed during that year. Later in 1915, financing was provided to move the buildings to a new site and the title was unclear during that time until it was formalized in May 1936. On October 15, 1950, the land was formally transferred to the Coast Guard. In spite of the changes in sites, the station remained in commission until today.

Aaron Bower was appointed in 1856 as the first keeper of Station Sandy Hook. He was followed by John C. Patterson who was appointed on 1 July 1869 at the age of 41. Patterson served at the station until he was transferred to Shark River Station on November 15, 1883. He was followed by Trevonian H. Patterson who served until January 1, 1908 after resigning to enter the Revenue Cutter Service.

Chester Lippincott followed next starting his service on January 13, 1908 until July 22, 1915 when he was promoted to District Superintendent of the Fourth District. He was followed by Loren Tilton serving from January 1916 to 1925, followed by Elwood Butler serving as the keeper from September 30, 1925 to July 5, 1929. And from 1929 to 1933, the station was commanded by Chief Boatswains Mate E. Hulse. On August 1, 1993, George F. Morin assumed command.

Funds were provided for new station boats and equipments through the Work Relief and Public Works Appropriation Act of 1938. The Act also provided a boathouse, launchway and bulkheading for the station.

On July 27, 1885, keeper John Patterson was awarded the gold life – saving medal and silver life – saving medals were awarded to surfmen John Redmond, John H. Pearce, John H. Smith, David Kittell, Henry A. Bennett and Edward Brand when they rescued the crew of yacht Foam during a heavy onshore gale.

All through 1978, Coast Guard Sandy Hook responded to 2,275 calls saving 41 people and assisted 4, 645 people. Properties which were saved was valued over 27 million dollars while three lives were lost during a winter storm on January 21, 1978 from the 37 foot pilot boat Interport.

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